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Have you written the next great American novel? You might just be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling, but that manuscript isn’t going anywhere until it gets into the hands of someone who can show it to the right people. Enter the Query Letter. Probably the most difficult one page any writer will be asked to write, the query letter can be the key that opens the door to representation, writing gigs, and so much more.

As with all things, there are a few correct ways to write a query letter and many, many wrong ways to do it. To help out, below we have gathered 35 blogs to help you write the perfect query letter. They include entries from writers who are looking to do so all the way up to big time publishers who are looking for writers who have perfected their craft.

Editor Blogs to Help You Write the Perfect Query

Start at the top with these leading editor blogs with loads of tips on what they are looking for.

1. Embrace the Impossible Visit here for a blog that explores “ways to beat the odds of becoming successful in publishing.” Jevon Oakman Bolden is a book editor, singer, wife, and someone who helps develop new writers. Her blog is full of tips on how to do everything from writing a query to attending a writer’s conference.

2. Guide to Literary Agents Chuck Sambuchino’s blog stands out for having an editor who looks at agents via the blog. He focuses on where and how to find the right agents to represent your work. With dozens of entries each month, he does that and more.

3. Behler Blog Tips on queries and query help are just some of the choices here. Lynn Price is the editorial director for Behler Publications and your blogger. She also includes advice, observations, and even a little silliness.

4. Editorial Anonymous You don’t have to be a children’s book writer to take advantage of this blog, but it doesn’t hurt. The EA has a quirky sense of humor that has inspired them to list things never to send in such as shoe shine kits, dead bugs, and more. A recent entry was on why writers need agents.

5. Editorial Ass Moonray is a recovering editorial assistant who works smack dab in the middle of the publishing business. The blog focuses on books, publishing, editing, and eaten things that are nice. Must reads of the blog include a guide to getting published and even a guide to getting a job in the publishing industry.

6. Evil Editor Want to know why you don’t get published? Then visit this blog for the answer to that and many other burning questions on one blog. Other tips such as how to submit a fake plot and even a cartoon caption are given.

7. The Book Deal If you need a look at the deals that are happening now, have a look at this blog. Alan Rinzler is a consulting editor and writes all about the latest deals in books as well as tips for writers. He recently even included a toolkit for the writer.

Writer Blogs to Help You Write the Perfect Query

These writers can help you build and perfect your own query letters as they have their own.

8. Nathan Bransford He is the author of “Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow.” Blog entries keep up with the quirkiness and fun of his published works. He stands out for including publishing essentials such as how to write a novel, query letter, etc.

9. Query Tracker A group of writers join together on this blog to take on the topic of the query letter and many other related items. They include new writers, parents, and those with plenty of experience. Be sure to check out the main site with loads of tools for the query writer.

10. (W)ords and (W)ardances Her debut series “The Newsoul Trilogy” is scheduled for a 2012 publishing. Jodi Meadows also fills her blog of “ferrets and keyboards,” but you can get many other useful tips. Be sure not to miss the Query Project as well as true life stories of what happens when they work.

11. Absolute Write They are dedicated to helping writers of all types from freelance writers to poetry. They also provide information about editing, publishing, agents, and market research. You can even get information on writing classes and other recommended resources.

12. The Rejectionist This anonymous blogger is a “writer, punx-upper, roller of the hard six.” A day in the life of someone who is no stranger to rejection is what is featured on a regular basis. Other obstacles and inspirations to writing are also shared.

13. Author! Author! After an ankle injury at the DNC, Mini’s life changed formidably. It led to the writing of her memoir, “A Family Darkly.” One of her most recent posts was on pet peeves and how to get through the door.

14. Grab a Pen Tahereh Mafi is a 23 year old girl who writes and even has published books. With her latest, “Shatter Me” set to debut in November of 2011, she knows how to get represented. A guide for new readers and writers is shared, as well as regular posts.

15. Writer Beware Blogs Although there are many above board places that will take a query, there is always a danger. Check out this blog sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America with additional support from the Mystery Writers of America. Their goal is to shine a bright light onto scams, schemes, and other pitfalls writers can encounter.

Agent Blogs to Help You Write the Perfect Query

Because every great writer needs a great agent, check out these agent blogs that can not only help you write a query but see things through their eyes as well.

16. Query Shark What’s the difference between a good query letter and a bad one? Janet Reid takes the time to analyze, show, and even comment on letters that did and didn’t make the cut. This must read blog can give any writer a hand up on how to cut the written clutter and make any lump of coal shine. Be sure not to miss her other blog with more.

17. BookEnds, LLC This literary agency focuses on fiction and nonfiction for adult audiences, but you don’t have to write in that genre to appreciate the useful tips. They often include real life examples of query letters that worked and loads of other inside looks. They even occasionally open the floodgates with query contests of their own.

18. Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent Get both the rants and ramblings of an agent on this blog. Popular posts include “How to Get Published” and “Our Submission Guidelines.” They even have status updates on the blog to let hopefuls know when they are open for queries.

19. Pub Rants Agent Kristin is “a very nice literary agent (who) indulges in polite rants about queries, writers, and the publishing industry.” True life stories and happenings in the industry are often shared. A recent post was on the best – and subsequently most strange – query she had received in a while.

20. SlushPile Hell Get a sort of query fail blog with a visit here. A grumpy literary agent shares that and other industry nonsense. They recently even allowed the readers to respond to an awful query with hilarious results.

21. Getting Past the Gatekeeper The post “Why I Reject Queries: A Pie Chart” is worth the visit alone. However, the blogging agent also shares tips on the goings on of the industry. You can also check out other things that interest them with a visit.

22. Ask the Agent Andy Ross shares thoughts about books and publishing in his blog. He is a literary agent in Oakland, California and former owner of a bookstore. In addition to what he likes and doesn’t, you can also get thoughts on how the industry is changing.

23. Jennifer Represents Jennifer Laughran is a literary agent specializing in children and young adult fiction. Her blog is where book news, agent advice, and even party planning and cute animal pictures combine on one blog. One of her latest posts was on how to tweet a query letter.

24. Coffey. Tea. And Literary. Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation is a full service, boutique literary agency. They use the blog to let fans as well as hopefuls know what is new in their world. They also drop precious gems for writers along the way.

Publishing Blogs to Help You Write the Perfect Query

Another place the query writer wants to be, check out how publishing houses work in the below blogs.

25. Pimp my Novel But what happens after you get an editor and agent? Eric of the sales department of a publishing house shares just that, as well as the agenting and editorial aspects of publishing. He recently shared just how his day breaks down percentage wise.

26. The Intern Whether you are one, were one, or will have to deal with one, there is no doubting that the intern can be one of the least written about perils of the industry. This anonymous intern is not shy about writing the industry from the inside, as well as which queries and books are making the current cuts.

27. The Antick Musings of G.B.H. Hornswoggler, Gent. Also known as Andrew Wheeler, he as spent 20 years in the publishing industry. He is also the first to say that his writings are best read with “a tone of bemused sarcasm.” Topics covered include politics, a mail review, and other things he likes.

28. How Publishing Really Works This blogger delivers just what the title promises. She has worked as an editor, a researcher, a ghostwriter, and a writer for nearly three decades now. Tips include everything from reading to publishing.

29. Galleycat Get the first word on the book publishing industry here. With many professionals and hopeful writers alike visiting, it is well worth a look. You can also get many other resources for writers.

30. POD, Self-Publishing and Independent Publishing Who needs big publishing houses? Hopeful writers can come here to learn more about how to take matters into their own hands and wallets. They also include reviews of many independent publishers and practices.

31. The Book Publicity Blog Yen has closely followed a lot of very informative sites about media and about the publishing industry. This blog was then started to provide tips, primarily for book publicists. However, hopeful writers looking for a more perfect query can get a better look at the publicity industry with a simple visit.

32. Smashwords They are a distributor of indie eBooks. Mark Coker, its founder, writes the blog in order to let the public in on what they are up to. Action items for writers, agents, and more are all shared as well.

33. There are no Rules As the former publisher and editorial director of Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman is an industry authority on commercial, literary, and emerging forms of publishing. She currently serves as a visiting professor of e-media at the University of Cincinnati. Check out her blog with categories on everything from the basics to sneak peeks.

34. Under the Green Willow Since 1974, this publishing house has been putting out books for children of every age. Their blog is full of items they are working on, as well as what they are looking for. You can also get many useful links on the blog.

35. Publisher’s Marketplace Finally, if the above publishing blogs aren’t enough for you, stop here. It is where all the blogs at Publisher’s Marketplace are kept. Choose from loads of blogs by loads of different kinds of bloggers.

No matter what your genre, there is loads of useful information for how to get your foot in the door via a carefully crafted query in the above 35 blogs to help you write the perfect query letter. There are also loads of useful tips for what to do after you write it from following up to planning a book tour.